Greek lawmakers passed a bill on Wednesday with a series of reforms to pave the way for the next, one-billion-euros ($1.3-billion) tranche of loans under the country's EU/IMF bailout. Fifty MPs voted in favor of the collection of reforms and 47 against.

Public hospital workers could hold prolonged protest action if measures to streamline the public health sector affect the operation of mental health facilities.

The two ministerial decrees signed by the Greek Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Yiannis Maniatis pave the road for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in Greek territory for the benefit of the Greek state.

The country's privatization agency (TAIPED) expects to raise 300-380 million euros by March 2015 by auctioning frequencies to cell phone operators.